Flavorful St. Patrick's Day dinner

Featured in Comforting Soups & Stews.

Make this corned beef and cabbage dish simple in your slow cooker! Let the beef brisket cook for 8 hours on low for tender, savory results. Add the veggies—cabbage, carrots, and potatoes—during the final two hours for the perfect side dish. The corned beef’s included spice mix enhances the flavor, making it foolproof. This hearty meal is ideal for celebrating St. Patrick's Day or enjoying a no-fuss family dinner. Serves 6 and takes almost no prep time. Pair it with whole-grain mustard for an extra burst of flavor!
A woman in a white chef's outfit with a chef's hat and apron.
Updated on Wed, 05 Mar 2025 07:41:17 GMT
A stew-like meal featuring beef and veggies in a pot. Pin it
A stew-like meal featuring beef and veggies in a pot. | cuisinegenial.com

Slow-cooked corned beef transforms an everyday brisket into a tender, flavorful masterpiece. Through countless preparations in professional and home kitchens, the slow cooker method consistently delivers the most succulent results. As the meat gently cooks, it releases an enticing aroma that makes this classic dish truly special.

At a recent family gathering, this recipe earned high praise from an experienced Irish cook who said it rivaled her traditional family recipe. The key is proper timing of the vegetables and trusting the slow cooking process.

Key Ingredients

  • Corned Beef: Select a flat-cut brisket that includes the seasoning packet
  • Green Cabbage: Choose one that's dense and fresh
  • Red Potatoes: Small, firm potatoes work best
  • Carrots: Large carrots cut into chunks provide optimal flavor
  • White Onion: Creates an aromatic foundation

Cooking Method

Initial Preparation:
Thoroughly rinse the brisket, dry it well, position fat side up in cooker, add seasonings and onion, carefully add water to sides.
Cooking Time:
Cook on low setting for 8 hours, maintain lid closure, test at 6 hours, meat should yield to fork but hold shape, reserve while preparing vegetables.
Adding Vegetables:
Create potato foundation, position meat on top, surround with cabbage and carrots, ensure liquid coverage, continue cooking 2 hours until vegetables reach ideal tenderness.
Final Steps:
Transfer meat to board, rest 10 minutes, slice against grain at preferred thickness, arrange with vegetables, serve alongside mustard, optional parsley garnish.

Traditional wisdom holds that patience yields the finest corned beef. The slow cooker method honors this time-tested approach.

A pot of food with a piece of meat and vegetables. Pin it
A pot of food with a piece of meat and vegetables. | cuisinegenial.com

Temperature Guidelines

The optimal cooking temperature is low. While high heat reduces cooking time to 4 hours, it compromises tenderness. Low heat properly dissolves tough fibers.

Advance Preparation

Prepare this dish ahead for enhanced flavor. Refrigerate overnight, slice cold for clean cuts, then warm in the reserved cooking liquid.

This classic preparation proves that simple ingredients, properly cooked, create exceptional meals. The harmonious combination of tender meat and vegetables yields a satisfying, complete dish. Each element contributes to a time-honored meal that continues to bring joy to modern tables.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I cook this faster on a higher heat setting?
Sure! Switch to high heat and cook for about 4 hours instead of 8 on low. Just add the veggies during the last hour so they don’t overcook.
→ How should I slice the corned beef for serving?
Always carve the beef against the grain. Cut at a right angle to the meat fibers to get tender slices.
→ Is adding beer to this recipe an option?
Yes! Feel free to replace some or all of the water with beer for a richer taste. A stout like Guinness is a great choice.
→ How long will leftovers stay fresh?
Keep them in a sealed container in your fridge, and they’ll be good for up to 3 days. Warm them back up using the oven or microwave.
→ Does this recipe work for gluten-free diets?
As written, it’s gluten-free! Just double-check your corned beef packaging to make sure no gluten-containing ingredients were used.

Irish-style one-pot comfort

This iconic Irish-American comfort food is super easy to make in a slow cooker. Ideal for a cozy St. Patrick's Day meal or a family gathering.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
480 Minutes
Total Time
495 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Soups & Stews

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Irish-American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 A 3 to 3 1/2-pound corned beef brisket, seasoned and cured, including the spice packet
02 1 medium white onion, sliced into four large pieces
03 2 whole garlic cloves, peeled and left as they are
04 3 cups of plain water

→ Vegetables

05 4 big carrots, peeled and chopped into slices about 2 inches thick
06 Roughly 1 1/4 pounds (medium-sized) of green cabbage, cut into six wedges
07 1 1/2 pounds of small red potatoes, cleaned and cut into 2-inch pieces

→ For Serving

08 Whole-grain mustard if you’d like it as a topping

Instructions

Step 01

Run cold water over the beef to rinse it off. Put it into a slow cooker with the fatty side facing up. Sprinkle the packet of spices right over the meat. Toss in the garlic cloves and onion. Pour the water all over it. Cook on low for 8 hours, or if you're in a pinch, 4 hours on high works too.

Step 02

With about two hours left on low heat (or one hour on high), take out the beef for a moment. Put the potatoes at the bottom of the slow cooker. Put the beef back in and arrange the carrots and cabbage all around it. Cover it back up and let it cook till done.

Step 03

When the veggies are soft, pull out the beef. Cut it into slices, making sure to go against the grain. Lay everything out on a platter, mix in those cooked vegetables, and add some whole-grain mustard on the side if you want.

Notes

  1. Keep any leftovers in a container that seals tight, and they'll stay good for 3 days.
  2. When you're ready to eat them, warm them up in the oven or the microwave.

Tools You'll Need

  • Slow cooker
  • Cutting board
  • A sharp knife
  • Tongs

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 800
  • Total Fat: 42 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 32 g
  • Protein: 70 g